About
A phono-semantic compound, 黩 (traditional 黷) combines the radical 黑 'black' with the phonetic 卖 (simplified from 賣) to convey contamination or staining. The radical 黑 supplies the semantic field of darkness, ink, or dirt, while the right side indicates the pronunciation. Originally, the literal sense was to blacken or defile an object by covering it with grime or soot. This staining imagery then extended metaphorically to sullying one's reputation, corrupting something pure, or acting with reckless excess, most notably in idioms condemning the wanton and destructive overuse of military force.
Etymology Hide
Report an issue
Flag incorrect definitions, examples, etymology, etc.